DBL to train one lakh youth by 2030 under DIKSHa program

Hyderabad: Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF), the corporate social responsibility arm of Dalmia Bharat Ltd. (DBL), has announced its plan to train one lakh youth by financial year (FY) 2030 under its flagship programme - Dalmia Institute of Knowledge and Skill Harnessing (DIKSHa). India has the youngest and largest workforce in the world, yet faces the challenge of significant skill gaps, with only five per cent of the workforce recognised as formally skilled. Addressing this concern, DBF via DIKSHa provides placement-linked, short-term skill training to youth and women, adding them to skilled workforce for enhanced income.

DIKSHa primarily focuses on training unemployed youth or disadvantaged youth in rural communities in India by enhancing their employability through skill development. DIKSHa offers training in a wide range of areas, including healthcare, industrial sewing machine operator, assistant electrician, customer relationship management, sales and marketing, data entry operator, beauty and wellness, and unarmed security. Till date, DIKSHa has trained 11,647 individuals successfully with more than 8,271 individuals placed in gainful employment, earning monthly wages ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000.

To strengthen the reach of the programme, DBF will be opening eight new centres across India in FY 2024, in addition to its existing network of 15 centers, with a cumulative training capacity of 8,000 trainees. The new centres will be launched in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. The programme was initiated in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation in 2016. DBF has further expanded partnerships to include the State Skill Development Missions of Odisha and Karnataka, as well as collaborations with organizations like NABARD, NBCFDC, OSDA, BOSCH, Schneider Electric, etc.

Commenting on the expansion plan, Ashok Kumar Gupta, CEO, Dalmia Bharat Foundation said, “At Dalmia Bharat we aim to create programmes for inclusive development and are committed to make a tangible impact on the lives of the marginalised communities. On the eve of World Youth Skills Day, we are happy to announce our expansion plans for DIKSHa, dedicated to empowering our youth with essential skills for a brighter future. We aim to bridge the significant skill gaps in our nation’s workforce, creating opportunities for economic empowerment and a better life. Through DIKSHa we hope to build a skilled and Atmanirbhar India."